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Ms. Molly's Gift Shop

The building that houses Ms. Molly's Gift Shop and Walt's Grill has been owned by the Riggsbee family since 1944. At various points in time, it has been home to the Church of God of Prophecy and Lizzy Mae's Southern Kitchen. In the late 1990s, the restaurant became Walt's Grill with Ms. Molly's…

 Ms. Sharon Livingston & Ms. Virginia Medean

Sharon and Virginia wanted to have their photograph demonstrate what they believed it meant to be a neighbor in the face of rapid change locally and in their respective lives. Residents of public housing at the time this photo was taken, they reflected on how neighbors can often be more important…

 Ms. Stephanie Soulama, Stephanie’s African Hair Braiding

Stephanie, a native of the Cote d'Ivoire, is proud of the many hours she will spend with any one customer. She is concerned about maintaining a true community business and looks forward to local growth enhancing her own and neighboring, small business.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Churches located in Chatham County, NC.

Music

The historically Black neighborhoods of Chapel Hill and Carrboro have a long and storied musical legacy. Music has played a tremendous role in practices of faith in the area going back to the 19th century and before. In a 2007 oral history, Mrs. Brenda Jackson pointed to the historical roots of…

Nate Davis

Nate Davis was born and raised in Northside and graduated from Chapel Hill High School. He stayed in the area and was drawn into working with youth by his mentor, Fred Battle. He went on to become the director of the Hargraves Community Center, dedicating his life to supporting young people in…

 Nate Davis - On his childhood, education, and school integration

This interview is part of an oral history project called Southern Communities: Listening for a Change: Mighty Tigers--Oral HIstories of Chapel Hill's Lincoln High School. The interviewes were conducted from 2000-2001, by Bob Gilgor, with former teachers, staff, and students from Chapel Hill, N.C.'s…

 Nate Davis - On the A.D. Clark Pool (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the B1 Navy Band (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the construction of Hargraves Community Center (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the Hargraves Community Center

Nate Davis remembers that during his childhood, the Hargraves Community Center as a safe space to hang out and play sports with friends, and now, after years of working first part time and then full-time for the Center, he is the director. Davis tells the story of Hargraves starting in the 1940s. It…

 Nate Davis - On the uses of Hargraves Community Center (clip)

Nate Davis, Jr.

 Nate Davis, Jr. - On faith

Nathaniel Lee

To learn more about Nathaniel Lee and Pee Wee Homes, click here to read an article from Chapel Hill Magazine.

 Nathaniel Lee - On his childhood, bricklaying, and family

Nathaniel (Pee-Wee) Lee was a brick mason and laborer, and has worked and lived in the Chapel Hill area for most of his life. He was born in 1944 at UNC Hospital. When he was first born he lived with his grandparents on the farm that they sharecropped in Durham. Pee-Wee reflects on growing up on a…

 Neighborhood youth enjoy sno-cones at Frangelism, 2007.

New Vision Church of God of Prophecy

New Vision Church of God of Prophecy is located at 605 Church Street in Chapel Hill, NC.

 No More Uncle Tom

Chapel Hill Civil Rights image featuring Avery Brewer holding a sign that says "No More Uncle Tom."

Norma Bell

Norma Bell is a mother and grandmother. She comes from a family that has long provided rich food for the community of Chapel Hill through restaurants like Bill’s Barbeque and Mama Dip’s.

 Norma Bell - On her family, marriage, and relatives' businesses

In this interview, Norma Bell describes her wedding experience and her rebelliousness towards perceived unfairness. She describes her personality as being fair, assertive, and opinionated. She also talks about her 44-year marriage to Thomas Bell and their children and grandchildren. Norma’s mother,…

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

"I went to North Carolina, I played football at North Carolina A&T, where I received a BS degree, and as a matter of fact, I was instrumental in the boycott in '62-'63, where we desegregated the Woolworths." - Fred Battle North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina…

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public, historically-Black university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Dr. James E. Shepard in 1909, the university was made part of the state system in 1923.

North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company

"During World War II, [my mom] sold insurance for North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company." - Doug Clark, Sr. North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, founded in Durham, North Carolina in 1898 by John C. Merrick, is one of the oldest and largest Black-owned businesses in the United States.